MediaTek launches cheap quad-core SoC

MediaTek is joining the quad-core club with a cheap SoC based on ARM’s Cortex-A7 cores.

The MT6589 is a 28nm part, with HSPA+, dual SIM support and PowerVR 5-series graphics. Of course, since it’s an A7 chip, it shouldn’t be compared to Qualcomm’s quad-core Krait parts on Samsung’s Exynos 4412. However, it resembles a couple of new Snapdragons launched for the Chinese market last week.

Of course, MediaTek is not gunning for the same market. The MT6589 will probably end up in cheap tablets and dual SIM phones, which are very popular in some Asian markets.

Although it might look like an affordable no-frills part, MediaTek’s new baby supports 1080p video playback and recording, 1080p displays and cameras up to 13-megapixels.